State budget approved

The House of Representatives unanimously approved the State budget yesterday, which appropriates funds for operating government and capital improvement projects for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

Representative Sylvia Luke, House Finance Chair, said the Executive Budget was scrutinized carefully and adjusted to make sure Hawaii will have a sustainable budget moving forward.

“This is a budget that keeps our government operating without wasting money and provides funds for many much needed projects,” Luke said. “I’m happy that we are able to provide funding for many state schools and libraries and to support education.”

The Department of Education’s total operating budget ($2.1 billion for 2019) for kindergarten through grade 12, including charter schools and libraries, will support Early College Program, English Language Learners, World Languages and Health Education, Teacher Certification Stipend Program, Alternative Teacher Route Program and interscholastic athletic competitions.

Capital Improvement Project funds for schools and libraries ($463 million for 2018 and $310 million for 2019) include funds to maintain and improve facilities and infrastructure statewide. Of those funds, $2.5 million will be used for the design of a new library at Kapaa Elementary School, Kauai. Another $2.5 million will go to the design and construction of parking lot and drainage improvements for Kapaa High School.

For fiscal year 2018, the budget bill totals $7.24 billion in general funds and $14.1 billion in all means of financing. For fiscal year 2019, the bill appropriates $7.4 billion in general funds and $14.3 billion in all financing means.

The budget includes a total of $2.2 billion for fiscal year 2018 and $2.1 billion for fiscal year 2019 for Capital Improvement Projects.